Nadeau steps in as FKES principal

Educator Robby Nadeau has taken over the role of Fort Kent Elementary School principal following the retirement of long time leader Gary Stevens.

FORT KENT, Maine — Educator Robby Nadeau has taken over the role of Fort Kent Elementary School principal following the retirement of long time leader Gary Stevens. Stevens, who began teaching in School Administrative District 27 in 1977, retired this year after serving as FKES principal since 1992.

Nadeau, who this month completed ten years as a social studies educator at Fort Kent Community High School, said he respects Stevens’ contributions to district students.

“Gary Stevens is one of the most able administrators I have been able to work with over the past ten years. There is not a process about the way FKES runs that he has not been aware of, or played a role in creating. He has always been a willing mentor and advisor and I hope he continues to serve in that capacity,” Nadeau said. “Our community and schools owe him a debt of gratitude for the time he has spent serving all of us. I am grateful, and I know the entire FKES community feels the same way.”

Nadeau, 35, is a Plaisted native who graduated from the University of Maine at Fort Kent in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He recently earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Maine at Farmington.

“Elementary administration has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Nadeau said.

He spent the last few weeks of the school year training with Stevens at FKES.

“I have seen cocoons sprout butterflies, reading cafes, wax museums, service learning, and Lego competitions,” Nadeau said of the various activities at the elementary school. “The ‘hum’ of learning (at FKES) is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. The commitment to these children’s learning and well-being is overwhelming. Anyone that comes into our school can feel it immediately.”

As well as teaching at CHS, Nadeau has coached the Lady Warriors soccer team since 2010.

“One of the great experiences of my life has been being a part of all of these teams,” he said. Nadeau also has served as a class advisor, Project Graduation advisor, and Link Crew Coordinator.

Nadeau is very proud of his family, wife Stephanie Nadeau and their children Charlotte, 4, and Abram, 2.

“I love playing with my kids and spending time with my wife; I really am nothing without them,” he said.

In his free time, Nadeau enjoys watching sports and is a fan of New England teams such as the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, Revolution and the Celtics. He also reads about pedagogy and history, and said he has a particular passion for the American Civil War and World War II eras.

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